Key Points
- Novogene Europe has expanded its single-cell RNA sequencing capability at its Cambridge Omics Centre.
- The new service brings 10x Genomics Chromium-based workflows closer to researchers in the UK.
- The Cambridge offering initially focuses on 3′ gene expression using cells or nuclei.
- The workflow includes sample processing, quality control, library preparation, sequencing and bioinformatics analysis.
- Novogene Europe says the expansion supports academic, biotech and biopharma research.
- The company says the move builds on its existing single-cell capability in Germany and follows its Untargeted Metabolomics Service launch in Cambridge.
Cambridge (Cambridge Tribune) July 27, 2026 – Novogene Europe has expanded its single-cell RNA sequencing capability at its Cambridge Omics Centre, aiming to bring 10x Genomics Chromium-based workflows closer to researchers in the UK.
What has Novogene Europe announced?
Novogene Europe said the expansion is designed to strengthen access to single-cell transcriptomics for academic, biotech and biopharma users. The company said the Cambridge site will support projects that need specialist laboratory work, sequencing and downstream analysis in one place.
As reported by Novogene Europe, the service is intended to help researchers study complex biological samples at single-cell resolution. That approach can be useful when different cell populations within the same tissue need to be separated and analysed individually.
What does the new service include?
The Cambridge service initially focuses on 3′ gene expression using cells or nuclei. Novogene Europe said the workflow is supported by GEM-X chemistry and high-throughput Illumina sequencing.
The offer includes sample processing, quality control, library preparation, sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. According to the company, that combination is meant to give users a more complete service from sample to result.
The platform is built around 10x Genomics Chromium technology, which is widely used in single-cell research. It works by partitioning individual cells and barcoding them so their gene expression can be measured separately.
Why does this matter for research?
Single-cell RNA sequencing allows scientists to examine gene activity in individual cells rather than in a mixed sample. That can reveal differences between cell types, identify rare populations and improve understanding of disease processes.
Novogene Europe said the new service is relevant to oncology, immunology, neuroscience, stem cell biology, developmental biology, translational research, biomarker discovery and drug discovery. These are areas where cell-level detail can shape how experiments are designed and how results are interpreted.
The company also said the expanded service gives UK researchers another route to access advanced omics capabilities without needing to build the full infrastructure themselves. That may be especially useful for teams handling short project timelines or complex experimental designs.
How does this fit Novogene Europe’s wider strategy?
The Cambridge expansion follows Novogene Europe’s launch of its Untargeted Metabolomics Service at the same site. The company said the two services reflect a broader effort to build Cambridge into a stronger multiomics centre.
Novogene Europe also said the expansion builds on its existing single-cell capability in Germany. That suggests the company is using experience from its wider European network to develop the UK operation.
The move also places Cambridge more clearly within Novogene Europe’s regional laboratory footprint. For users, that may mean more flexible access to sequencing and omics services across different locations.
What role does 10x Genomics play?
10x Genomics’ Chromium platform is one of the best-known systems for single-cell studies. The company says the platform is designed to support cell partitioning, barcoding and analysis in streamlined workflows.
Its GEM-X technology is part of the newer generation of Chromium single-cell tools. In practice, that means researchers can use a system built for detailed gene expression profiling across large numbers of cells.
Novogene Europe’s use of the platform gives the Cambridge service a familiar technical foundation for researchers already working in single-cell biology. It also aligns the service with widely used industry standards.
Who is the service aimed at?
The announcement appears aimed at academic laboratories, biotech developers and biopharmaceutical companies that need single-cell sequencing capacity. These groups often need both wet-lab support and computational analysis.
The service may also appeal to teams looking for a partner that can handle part or all of the workflow. That can reduce operational complexity when projects involve sensitive samples or large study volumes.
For researchers working on disease biology, drug discovery or biomarker programmes, access to a local single-cell service could make collaboration easier. It may also help shorten the time between sample submission and data review.
Background of the development
Novogene Europe has been steadily broadening the range of services available at its Cambridge Omics Centre. The earlier addition of untargeted metabolomics suggests the company is trying to create a more integrated multiomics platform.
Single-cell RNA sequencing has become increasingly important in life sciences because it provides a detailed view of cellular behaviour. Rather than averaging signals across thousands of cells, it can show how individual cells respond differently within the same sample.
That capability has made the technique especially useful in cancer research, immunology and neuroscience. It is also relevant in developmental biology and translational research, where understanding cell diversity can influence the direction of a study.
What is the prediction for researchers?
For researchers, the expansion is likely to improve access to single-cell services in the UK and make project planning more convenient. It may be especially useful for groups that want sequencing, analysis and technical support from the same provider.
For biotech and biopharma users, the service could support earlier-stage discovery work by making cell-level data easier to obtain. That may help with target identification, biomarker development and experimental validation.
For the wider Cambridge life sciences ecosystem, the development adds another specialist service to the region’s research infrastructure. Over time, that could make the city even more attractive for organisations working in advanced genomics and multiomics.
